1. Discuss how the past shapes the future in THE MESSAGE.

2. What does the novel say about prejudice and unconscious assumptions about others?

3. Discuss the portrayal of the different mothers in the book.

4. The title of the book refers the message that Jen receives from her husband at the start of the book. What other ‘messages’ are key to the development of the story?

5. Discuss the sense of place in the novel and how characters’ locations affect their states of mind.

FURTHER READING:

BEAUTIFUL STRANGERS – Julie Highmore

PURE FICTION – Julie Highmore

THE RETURN – Victoria Hislop

POPPYLAND – Raffaella Barker

THE MATHEMATICS OF LOVE – Emma Darwin

CLICK HERE to read Julie Highmore's answers to the questions

THE MESSAGE is YOU Magazine Book of the Month. Click here to read the guide

About the book
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